III. To analyze interferon-alpha-induced STAT signaling in patient PBMCs. IV. To determine the expression of IFN-regulated genes in patient PBMCs and tumor tissues.

V. To determine the pattern of gene expression induced by treatment with IL-12 and interferon-alpha using DNA microarray techniques in patient PBMCs.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

Patients receive interleukin-12 IV over 5-15 seconds on day 1 and interferon alfa subcutaneously on days 2-6. Treatment repeats every 2 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Patients are reassessed after 6 courses. Patients with a complete response receive 2 additional courses. Patients with a partial response or stable disease continue treatment in the absence of disease progression.

Patients are followed every 3 months for 1 year and then every 6 months for 1 year.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients must have measurable disease; measurable disease is defined as the presence of at least one measurable lesion; if the measurable disease is restricted to a solitary lesion, its neoplastic nature should be confirmed by cytology/histology; measurable lesions are defined as lesions that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension with the longest diameter >= 20 mm using conventional techniques or >= 10 mm with spiral CT scan

- Lesions that are considered intrinsically non-measurable include the following:

- Bone lesions;

- Leptomeningeal disease;

- Ascites;

- Pleural/pericardial effusion;

- Inflammatory breast disease;

- Lymphangitis cutis/pulmonis;

- Abdominal masses that are not confirmed and followed by imaging techniques;

- Lytic lesions;

- Lesions that are situated in a previously irradiated area

- No history of peripheral neuropathy, brain metastases or other central nervous system disease

- No history of/active autoimmune disease, hemolytic anemia or concurrent requirement for corticosteroids, including topical or inhaled

- No hepatitis BSAg, known HIV disease or other major active illness; patients with risk factors for HIV should be tested; patients with these illnesses are more likely to experience significant side effects from the study treatment

- No history of severe peptic ulcer disease or gastrointestinal bleeding unless there is objective evidence that the condition is inactive or resolved

- No chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or anti-hormonal therapy within three weeks prior to the initiation of therapy on this study

- No prior therapy with IL-12

- No prior therapy with IFN-alpha for metastatic disease (e.g., biochemotherapy); prior adjuvant therapy with IFN-a is acceptable as long as the patient remained disease-free for 12 months or longer following the last IFN-a treatment

- Non-pregnant, non-nursing; treatment under this protocol would expose an unborn child to significant risks; women and men of reproductive potential should agree to use an effective means of birth control; women of child-bearing age will undergo pregnancy testing

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